Disc Housing Peripheral Channel for Fiber Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing disc-type refiners experience increased energy consumption and wear due to turbulent fiber flow and fiber build-up within the disc housing, leading to inefficiencies and clogging issues during the mechanical disintegration of fibrous materials.
Innovation Solution
A disc housing design featuring a continuously increasing radial channel along its periphery outside the refining gap, with a tangentially located outlet and an adjustable blow valve, directs the fiber flow uniformly to the outlet, reducing energy consumption and wear by minimizing fiber accumulation and flow obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the disc housing allows free turbulent flow of worked material and steam, then the material can be processed, but energy consumption increases and wear on rotating and stationary parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The disc housing internal space is segmented into a refining zone and a separate collection channel zone. The channel is positioned at the periphery and collects material flow in an organized manner, separating the turbulent refining area from the collection area, thereby reducing unnecessary turbulence and energy loss in the collection region.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection channel acts as an intermediary structure between the refining gap and the blow valve outlet. It mediates the transition from turbulent refining flow to controlled outlet flow, reducing turbulence and energy consumption while maintaining processing capability.
2Productivity
If the disc housing allows free flow of material and steam, then processing can occur, but fiber build-up and extractive matter block the outflow through the blow valve
Solution Approach 1:
The collection channel is positioned at the periphery of the disc housing, separating the collection function from the central refining zone. This segmentation prevents fiber build-up in the outlet path and allows steam to escape through the refining zone without blocking the peripheral channel, thereby maintaining reliable outflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection channel extracts the material flow from the turbulent refining zone and directs it along a clear peripheral path to the blow valve. This extraction removes the risk of fiber build-up and extractive matter blocking the outflow, as the channel provides a dedicated, unobstructed flow path.
3Productivity
If the disc housing contains a thick atmosphere of steam, water and fiber, then material can be processed, but wear on rotating and stationary parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disc housing is segmented into a refining zone where steam, water, and fiber are present, and a peripheral collection channel that operates with reduced material concentration. This segmentation protects the rotating and stationary parts in the channel region from excessive wear by minimizing their exposure to the abrasive thick atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection channel serves as an intermediary zone that reduces the concentration of steam, water, and fiber before they reach the outlet. This mediation protects the rotating and stationary parts from excessive wear by creating a transition region with lower abrasive material concentration.
4Device complexity
If the blow valve opening is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to variations in fiber flow, causing flow obstacles and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The blow valve is designed with an adjustable opening that can be dynamically adapted to match the fiber flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the valve to handle variations in flow rate and material characteristics, preventing flow obstacles and clogging while maintaining structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces energy consumption by 25-50 kWh/tons of fiber, decreases wear on components, and enhances the control of fiber flow, preventing clogging and improving pulp quality during the production of mechanical pulps like board pulp.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical disintegration and working of the material requires energy, which is supplied via the refining elements on the refining discs
Implementation Method 2
The supplied energy transforms at the refining work substantially to heat, with the result that the water following along with the material evaporates and emits from the worked material
Implementation Method 3
The supplied energy transforms at the refining work substantially to heat
Implementation Method 4
Due to the rotation of the refining disc, the worked material will be thrown about In the disc housing
Implementation Method 5
The inside of the disc housing, therefore, along its periphery is formed with a channel, the radius of which increases continuously in the circumferential direction outside the opening of the refining gap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A disc housing intended for refiners with refining discs (1,2) rotating in opposed direction relative to each other for mechanically disintegrating and working fibrous material, where the disc housing (3) air-tight surround the refining discs (1,2) and is provided with an outlet (8) for the worked fibrous material. The inside of the disc housing (3) along its periphery is formed with a channel (10), which has, seen in circumferential direction, a continuously increasing radius , which increases all the way to the outlet (8), which is located tangentially in a direct continuation of the channel (10).